Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks or whistle-pigs, are common rodents found throughout much of North America. These mammals are primarily herbivores. They are adaptable foragers, consuming a diverse array of vegetation depending on what is available in their environment.
Primary Diet of Groundhogs
Groundhogs largely sustain themselves on various plant materials, preferring tender, green vegetation. Their daily diet often includes common wild plants such as clover, alfalfa, dandelions, and other wild grasses. In agricultural settings, they consume a wide range of crops including beans, peas, carrots, broccoli, lettuce, squash, corn, and soybeans. A mature groundhog can consume over a pound of plants daily.
They obtain most hydration from the moisture in dewy leaves and the plants they consume. This allows groundhogs to thrive in diverse habitats and adjust foraging habits with seasonal changes. Their specialized teeth are well-suited for grinding fibrous plant matter.
Opportunistic Foods and Preferences
Beyond green vegetation, groundhogs consume opportunistic food sources. They enjoy fruits such as apples, pears, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, mulberries, and cherries when available. In times of scarcity, they may gnaw on tree bark and tender branches to supplement their diet.
While primarily herbivores, groundhogs occasionally consume insects like grasshoppers, crickets, grubs, and snails. These animal-based foods constitute a small percentage of their overall diet, often ingested accidentally. Their eating patterns change with the seasons; during spring and summer, they focus on high-calorie plants to build fat reserves for hibernation. As fall approaches, their foraging intensifies to gain weight before their winter dormancy.
Foods Groundhogs Avoid or Damage
Groundhogs typically avoid plants that have strong odors or are known to be toxic. Examples include hellebore, monkshood, and lily-of-the-valley, which are poisonous. They also tend to steer clear of many Mediterranean herbs like lavender, rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, basil, and lemon balm. The onion family is another group of plants they usually leave untouched, with the exception of leeks.
Beyond their dietary preferences, groundhogs can cause damage to property through their burrowing activities. Their extensive tunnel systems can undermine foundations, sidewalks, and patios. Groundhogs also gnaw on non-food items such as tree branches, wood shingles, and exposed boards to maintain the length of their continuously growing incisor teeth.